I have heard people say that Soft Light windows are better than Thermal Industries, but I have not really heard a why. Saying one is better quality can be a bit subjective. Is it seal failure? Pocket seal? Slope Seal? Type of insulation? Type of weld? Number of warranty claims?

What is a better SHGC in this case? That number, unlike U-Factor, is application specific.

In terms of U-Factor, lower is better regardless of the window.

As it concerns the comparative between the TI and the Soft-Lite, don't quote me on this, but I think the TI window is a pocket sill. This should be avoided whenever possible because of the less desirable design as compared to a welded sloped sill.

The comparison between the air leakage numbers will also help highlight the differences in the products too.

The Soft-Lite brand in general is well regarded because of their attention to detail and engineering forethought. They build a nice product and pay attention to those finer performance points that are often overlooked by most manufacturers.

As Todd said, that is a nice price on the Imperial Pro and it is a well proven performer.

TI is a snap in sloped sill which is just as flawed as a pocket sill. you want a fully welded sloped sill.the outer walls on the TI extrusion are also very thin. soft lite is much better designed as is sunrise .

The Soft-Lite Pro while being an older design is still a very nice window for that installed price. Non-metal Super Spacer and double-strength glass is standard as is meeting rail reinforcement and foam filling. So are locking screens. While I wouldn't put the Pro in the same category as the Imperial LS or Elements, it does operate and lock as nicely as about anything on the market. It's a real smooth operator.

I've never been impressed with Thermal Industries. Their products seem very generic to me. Most of the dealers for TI around here have been missing in action for a while now and have packed up and moved out of Dodge.

Post subject: Re: Why against Thermal Industries. Need to make a decision

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:11 pm

Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:11 amPosts: 467

The Sunrise is perhaps a little on high side and the Pro is a little on the low side. With the pricing you have on the Pro every decent window will probally seem high. The quality of the window wrap can be just as important as the window.

Window selection does have a subjective part to it. You are getting advice both subject and objective from a group of pros acroos the country that have no gain to be made by them.Then on the other hand did you ever get the AL/AI numbers? Call each dealer and ask them for them. AL/AI is under structural testing, it is not the only thing but I use it as a large componet of my window evaluation.

The Sunrise may be on the high side if it is pretty basic option content, but if it has a bunch of extras (woodgrain, exterior color, grids, triple pane, etc) it could be reasonable. That price on the Pro is very aggressive as mentioned above. Provided that it is a reputable company that will do a quality install, it would be hard to pass up. Regarding the original question on the two products in question, masterext's assessment sounds right on point. I recommend avoiding a pocket sill design on dh's, and the structural ratings (AI , DP) are an often overlooked tool that can be very indicative of product quality and overall "tightness" of design and build.

Post subject: Re: Why against Thermal Industries. Need to make a decision

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:14 pm

Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:25 pmPosts: 8

toddinmn wrote:

DP ratings an AI numbers can also mislead you. The Soft-Lite Classic for exapmple, is better than many windows out there despite its 0.11 AI and DP35 ratings.

That is crazy talk. Despite my issues with the way Softlite conducts business, they have some nice product choices, but the "Classic" should live up to its namesake and be retired. It is truly an inferior offering compared to the rest of their lineup. NOT RECOMMENDED.

I'd agree with Todd that the Classic is decent, but I don't think that the ratings are misleading. They are a little bit above average as vinyl windows go, which is exactly how I'd characterize that window. That is not a bad thing at all given that it is SL's entry level offering. One thing I will say is that in my experience, the Pro can be had for a minor cost premium, and I like it a bit better.

Post subject: Re: Why against Thermal Industries. Need to make a decision

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:28 am

Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:11 amPosts: 467

The Pro runs about 15% more, which can be the tipping point for some people. I think the ratings are misleading since there are windows with same or better ratings than the Classic a which are not even close in quality.With sash reinforcement the AI goes to .07 the DP probally goes to 50 but I am not sure. Some say genius others say a madman.

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